The Barneys Beauty Catalog

Serge Lutens makeup: I make a point to avoid this counter at Barneys because I think the prices do not match the quality. Do not get me wrong...I think Serge is a genius, but if I am going to pay $75 for a lipstick it better be unique in shade and formula.

That being said...Mauve de Swann looks like an interesting nude shade.

Has anyone tested it?

Josie Maran: I spent some quality time at this counter. The eyeshadows looked and felt lovely. She also has some promising shimmer lip glosses. The most impressive aspect to the line is the sleek looking packaging that is biodegradable. The SA boasted that the eyeshadows only take a few months to break down in the compost pile. I do not know how many NYCers have compost piles, but this Ohio gal does.

Simon Doonan interviewed Josie for the catalog.

Here is a snippet:

SD: Can mascara be organic?

JM: Mascara can not be completely organic. Sice it is applied around the very sensitive eye area it must contain preservatives to kill any bacteria. We are using diocide-a gentle and safe preservative. Our mascara also contains several organic oils(jojoba, soybean, and aragan) which condition the lashes. We have left out all the harsh chemicals and parabens.

Blogdorf Goodman would ask: But can it curl straight stumpy lashes?

Lipstick Queen: I fell head over heels for their new oxymoron matte lip gloss. The review will be forthcoming.

100% Love: An exclusive Barneys fragrance from the nose and hands of Sophie Grojsman. It is a mixture that recalls dark chocolate and berries. Somehow I missed this at the fragrance counter.

Serge Lutens Louve: For the fragrance junkies----It is a more cherry infused Rahat.

Hermes Kelly Calache: It is very light and disappears much too quick. However, I loved the mixture of iris, rose and leather. I never detected the mimosa note.

Frederic Malle's Outrageous was a bust. I just had no feeling for it. It inspired no passion or hate from any members of our group. Malle describes it as "having the overt sex appeal of the disco years, without the heaviness of the time".

The notes are caipirinha, clean laundry,green apple, orange blossom, amber and cedar.

Nothing makes me think of the Abba/Studio 54 years like clean laundry and green apple.

Parfums de Rosine Twill Rose(exclusive to Barneys): A green rose with tangerine, pink pepper berry, patchouli and amber. Another scent that I missed!

The new Pucci fragrance really sucks.

There.

I said it.

Moving on....the new Tom Ford Black Orchid Voile de Fleur is fabulous. I love the added twist of violets and jasmine to the Black Orchid formula. The bottle is very confusing.

My bottle looks exactly like the original Black Orchid bottle. The name Voile de Fleur is no where on it.

I swear on my Behnaz lipstick that I spotted ads in magazines with a purple bottle and black bottles with the name printed on the front.

Was I dreaming?

Mr Doonan interviews the founder of DL& Co candles. He is a goth kid that has held on to the lifestyle and created some lovely candles. My favorite part of the interview is when he revealed that one of his clients flew him by helicopter to her newly bought mansion. She commissioned him to create "whatever."

He created fragranced wallpaper.

Can you imagine?

That is so lavish and kooky.

I wonder who the client was....any guesses?

Natura Bisse Diamond Magnetic: This is a lux treatment that incorporates magnets and gem therapy with real diamond dust to create perfect balance and synergy within.

I like bling where I can see it...on my neck,wrists or fingers.

Chantecaille has launched a cream called Nano Gold Energizing Cream. It is pure 24 karat gold wrapped around silk.

What happened to the gimmick ingredients like rare 1000 year mud from far away lands and ash from active volcanoes?

Those were the kooky ingredients that I could get behind.

Annick Goutal's Gommage Splendide Corps is still heaven in a jar. It's main ingredient is pulverized rose thorns.

I missed the counters featuring Stella McCartney and Nude skincare. I am curious about both.

Mr Doonan interviews the founder of Nude Skincare Bryan Meehan.

My favorite question posed to Mr Meehan: Why not laze around Notting Hill eating lotuses?

That Simon is so cheeky!

Crdeit: Barneys